Senior Technical Officer - NPHI (AfCDC) at African Union (AU)

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). We are an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Technical Officer - NPHI (AfCDC)

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: Head of Division Public Health Institutes and Research
Directorate/Department/Organ: Africa CDC
Division: Public Health Institutes and Research
Job Grade: P3
Contract Type: Fixed-Term

Purpose of Job

• Under the supervision of the Public Health Institutes and Research (PHIR) Division Head, Africa CDC, the Senior Technical Officer will be responsible to carry out a variety of technical assistance in the implementation of the activities around National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) and capacity building.
• S/He will be responsible for working closely with Member States’ NPHIs and the Africa CDC Regional Collaborating Centres (RCCs) to coordinate and monitor all the activities related to establishing NPHIs and strengthening their core capacities and implement the APHIC programme

Main Functions

• Provide technical support in the preparation and implementation of programmes developed out of the Division’s strategic plan.
• Provide technical support for the development of resource mobilization strategy with stakeholders coordination.
• Manage and supervise employees under his/her supervision regarding organization and performance evaluation.
• Conduct complex analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for the Division and AU’s internal use.
• Liaise with the various Departments/Units of the Commission for coordination and alignment purposes.
• Prepare budgets for the Division in accordance with relevant frameworks. Support the promotion of the activities of the Division including preparing leaflets, guidelines and fact sheets as may be required.
• Ensure effective coordination and implementation at various levels.
• Liaise with Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and other stakeholders on relevant matters.
• Prepare and develop reports, budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Division.
• Actively contribute in the development of strategies, policies, programmes and plans

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance in the implementation of NPHI programme including the African Public Health Institutes Collaborative (APHIC) programme. He/she will be responsible for working closely with relevant Divisions at Africa CDC, Member States’ NPHIs and the Regional Coordinating Centres.
• Support networking and peer-to-peer experience sharing among NPHIs. 
• Prepare and develop reports, budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Division.
• Provide technical support for the development of resource mobilization strategy with stakeholders’ coordination.
• Manage and supervise employees under his/her supervision with regard to organization and performance evaluation.
• Conduct complex analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for the Division and Africa CDC’s internal use.
• Work closely with the Principal Technical Officer for National Public Health Institutes at the HQ to strengthen NPHIs in Member States and implement the APHIC programme.
• Support and assist activities of the Center for Health System Strengthening and Public 
• Health Institute (HSS &PHI) with special focus on strengthening NPHIs in Member States.
• Participate in capacity assessments and mentorships of NPHIs. 
• Work closely with Member States’ NPHIs and the Regional Coordinating Centres (RCCs) to coordinate and monitor all NPHI and Capacity building activities. 
• Provide technical and administrative assistance to the center for HSS&PHI 
• Perform any other assignments given by the HHS-PHI Center Director and Head of Division for NPHI.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master's Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Systems Management or a related health field from an accredited academic institution with at least 7 years of relevant professional experience supporting implementation of public health programmes with emphasis on setting up Public Health Institutes, public health research, workforce development, health planning, or other related activities of which three (3) years should be at the expert level.            

Or 

• University Degree in the above fields with 10 years of relevant professional experience in Public Health, Health Systems Management, or related fields supporting implementation of public health programmes with emphasis on setting up Public Health Institutes, public health research, workforce development, health planning, or other related activities of which three (3) years should be at the expert level.
• Clear understanding of the health systems on the Continent and fair knowledge of operations of the Ministries of Health in Member States.
• Demonstrable experience and in-depth knowledge of operations of the Africa CDC is ab added advantage.
• Demonstrable technical expertise and experience in supporting and/or managing complex, public health programmes with special emphasis on public health research and workforce.
• Practical experience in setting up new institutions preferably for the health sector.

Required Skills:

• Skills in Programme monitoring, and evaluation is an asset.
• Demonstrable analytical skills as needed to respond to myriad programme management support issues.
• Demonstrable skills to conceptualize, plan, develop, implement, and evaluate resource management support requirements.
• Knowledge of oral communication techniques and skill in presentation delivery, programme consultation and credible verbal response to inquiries.
• Knowledge of interpersonal relationship practices and skills to meet and deal with persons of diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrable proficiency in MS Word, MS Excel, Power Point, data visualization and statistical packages as well as data analysis skills are mandatory.
• Demonstrable familiarity with accepted tools, techniques and the Africa CDC framework for workforce development is an asset.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills and a proven ability to deliver under tight deadlines and works well under pressure.
• Excellent skills and abilities applied to translating technical information into presentations, briefings and report and funding proposals for both technical and lay audiences;

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Insight
• Developing Others
• Change Management
• Managing Risk

Core Competencies:

• Building Relationship
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for Results
• Continuous Improvement Orientation

Tenure of Appointment

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables. 

Gender Mainstream:

• The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Languages:

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Remuneration
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 96,921.34  (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 78,461.08 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Application Deadline  6th June, 2024.